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Sunday, 1 April 2012

Suzaan Heyns: 'Cemented' in Fashion

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

I never imagined the day that I would see Pretoria Portland Cement's (PPC's) name at a Fashion Show, but then Suzaan Heyns decided to do a unique collaboration with the Cement Company to take her Label's Architectural Signature to a whole new Level ...

To set the mood, the show began with a short video accompanied by Industrial-like music playing in the background.

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

I couldn't help but wonder how Suzaan was going to implement Cement within her range. However, once I saw that Actual Fabrics had been dipped into Cement and moulded to create structured Capes, Scarves and Panels within the garments — did I finally understand the Sheer Brilliance behind the Collection.

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Each Outfit that made its way down the Runway was more interesting than the previous, and I felt Q-rious as to how Cement would be implemented in the outfits to come — how the barrier between Fashion and Industrial Materials would collide to create new possibilities within both industries.

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

The Colour Pallet included a variety of Cement-Grey's mixed in with soft Nudes, Pastels and Taupes. I personally loved the juxtaposition of the sheer, lightweight flowing fabrics with the solid, structured Cemented-Fabrics. The Architectural Sentiment had a Feminine twist, with concepts derived from Avante Garde Ideals and Classic Silhouettes.

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

The Cemented-Fabrics were made with such skill, that at times (I must admit) I had to really take a close look, to see which items had been Cemented and which were not.

The Range also included Menswear that I always enjoy seeing on the runway (not only for the sake of the Good-looking Male Models).

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Scarves and Snoods were Cemented on the Menswear side, and these were my favourite Accessories from the entire collection (so much, that I may be going to buy some PPC Cement and recreate some scarves of my own)

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Other Accessories included Bold Statement Necklaces and Bangles, and Clutch Bags.

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

The Makeup contoured the faces of the models while Cement-like smears made their appearances on the models face's and hair-line, to further incorporate the PPC brand.

Photo Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Suzaan Heyns said in a press-release regarding this collaboration: "I have always wanted to become a sculptor and approach Fashion like an art, using fabric as my medium. This collaboration has inspired me to work with cement as a new fabric. It has been an incredibly creative process, the result is a unique sculptural collection."

The Range has a strong allure of art and showcases Heyns' conceptual ability and originality, with each garment having a strong Sculptural Element.